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Population in india

since 1901
Unit 1
1. Period of Stagnant Population (1901-1921)
2.Period of Steady Growth (1921-1951)
3.Period of Rapid High Growth (1951-1981)
4. Period of High Growth with Definite Signs
of Slowing Down (1981-2001)
1. Period of Stagnant Population (1901-1921)

During most of the 19th century India witnessed irregular and slow
growth of population which drifted into twentieth century until 1921.
Thus the population growth during this period can be termed more
or less stagnant when compared to the growth rates observed during
the consequent periods. The high birth rate was counterbalanced by
high death rate.
1. Period of Stagnant Population (1901-1921)

The progressive growth rate in 1921 over 1901 was only 5.42 per
cent. In fact, the census year 1921 registered a negative growth
rate of-0.31 per cent which happened only once throughout the
demographic history of India. It is because of this decline in
place of rise in population that the year 1921 is called the
‘demographic divide’ in the demographic history of India.
1. Period of Stagnant Population (1901-1921)

The high mortality during this period was the product of large
scale abnormal deaths due to epidemics of influenza, plague, small
pox, cholera, etc. Influenza alone claimed 12 million lives in 1918.
Food shortages caused by severe droughts in 1911,1913,1915,1918
and 1920 claimed their own toll. In addition, thousands of Indian
soldiers lost their lives during the World War I (1914-18)
2. Period of Steady Growth (1921-51)

During 1921-51, the population of India increased from 251


million to 361 million. This duration of 30 years has thus
registered a growth of 47.3 per cent. Therefore, this period
is called the period of steady growth rate. The mortality
rate started showing downward trend as a result of
improvement in general health and sanitation conditions
after 1921.
2. Period of Steady Growth (1921-51)

These developments helped in controlling epidemics like


plague, cholera and malaria. The crude death rate which
stood at a high of 47 per thousand in 1921 declined to 27
per thousand in 1951 . On the contrary, the birth rate
continued to stay at an abnormally high level and decline
only to 40 per thousand in 1951 as against 48 per thousand
in 1921.
2. Period of Steady Growth (1921-51)

Decline in death rate was also achieved partly through the


improvement in the distribution system as a result of improved
transportation so that timely supplies of food could be made
available to drought and famine stricken areas. The combined
effect of these factors was that the population started increasing
steadily. Since crude death rate declined considerably and
crude birth rate remained very high, the population growth
during this period is called mortality induced growth.
3. Period of Rapid High Growth (1951-81):

After 1951, there was a steep fall in the mortality rate but
the fertility remained stubbornly high. Therefore, this
period experienced very high rate of population growth
and is often referred to as the period of population
explosion.
3. Period of Rapid High Growth (1951-81):

Death rate fell rapidly from 27 per thousand in 1951 to 9


per thousand in 2001.
3. Period of Rapid High Growth (1951-81)

Consequently the natural rate of growth, which fell slightly


from 14.0 per thousand in 1941 to 13 per thousand in 1951 rose
steeply to 22 per thousand in 1971 and remained at the same
level in 1981 also. The total population of the country increased
from 361.09 million in 1951 to 683.3 million in 1981 recording
an increase of 89.36 per cent in a short span of thirty years.
3. Period of Rapid High Growth (1951-81)

This unprecedented growth rate was due to the accelerated


developmental activities and further improvement in
health facilities. The living conditions of the people
improved enormously. Death rates declined much faster
than the birth rates. Thus, it was fertility induced growth.
4. Period of High Growth Rate with Definite Signs of
Slowing Down (1981-2001)

The last phase of 20th century, i.e., the period between census
years 1981 and 2001 is known as the period of high growth with
definite signs of slowing down. Although the rate of growth was
still very high, it started declining after 1981.
4. Period of High Growth Rate with Definite Signs of
Slowing Down (1981-2001)

The highest ever growth rate of 2.22 percent was recorded in


1971 which continued in 1981 also. It declined to 2.14 percent in
1991 and further to 1.95 percent in 2001.
4. Period of High Growth Rate with Definite Signs of
Slowing Down (1981-2001)

This declining trend marks the beginning of the new era in the
countries demographic history. During this period, birth rate
declined rapidly, from 34 per thousand in 1981 to 26 per
thousand in 2001. Declining trend of death rate continued but
at a slower rate.
The Demographic Transition

Stage 1. High death and birth rates, low growth rate.


Stage 2. Rapid decline in death rate continued high birth rate, very high
growth rate.
Stage 3. Rapid decline in birth rate, continued decline in death rate,
growth rate begins to decline.
Stage 4. Low death and birth rates, low growth rate.

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